This is the Black Christian News Network Podcast for Wednesday, August 9, 2017.

1. According to the Christian Post, a Nigerian evangelical denominational leader has been kidnapped and is now being held for ransom by suspected Fulani herdsmen, Nigerian media outlets are reporting. The Nigerian media networks reported on Monday that the national headquarters of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), which has about 5 million members nationwide and is one of the biggest Christian denominations in Nigeria, issued a release explaining that the Rev. Jen Moses was kidnapped last Friday evening upon returning to the capital city of Abuja from Jos in the Plateau State.

2. According to BCNN1, during Sunday morning service at The Potter’s House Dallas on August 6th, 2017, Bishop T.D. Jakes publicly prayed over his “spiritual son” Chris Hill, kick-starting the restoration process in his life after the former Potter’s House Denver pastor stepped down earlier in the year following news of his extramarital affair with a church employee. Using 1 John 1:8-10 as scriptural basis, Bishop Jakes wrote on social media: “Don’t be afraid to come back to Him! Every prodigal son ought to be able to come home!”

3. According to the Christian Post, two Tennessee megachurches, one predominantly African-American and the other majority Caucasian, co-hosted a back-to-school charity event Saturday to set an example of “what racial reconciliation looks like.” Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Nashville and Brentwood Baptist Church held the “We’re Better Together” event to provide school supplies and healthcare screenings for students. In recent years, there has been an effort by churches of various denominations to bridge what many believe to be a growing racial divide in the United States.

4. According to TMZ Sports, Spike Lee is clearly fed up that Colin Kaepernick is unemployed — and now he’s going to bat for the QB. The legendary director of movies like “Do the Right Thing,” “Jungle Fever” and “Malcolm X” is taking part in an event called, “United We Stand. Rally for Colin Kaepernick.” It’s all going down on Wednesday, August 23 in front of NFL Headquarters in NY. Multiple organizations are on board — including the Justice League NYC and the Empowerment Movement.

5. According to Daily Caller, California Democratic Representative Maxine Waters wouldn’t rule out the concept of an all-black political party when asked about it on Monday. Waters joined “The Breakfast Club” radio show on Monday morning and was asked if it was time for black people to form their own political party. Waters suggested that when black people are “strong enough” they may branch out into their own party. After black people fully participate in politics, she said, “then you can raise that kind of question — whether we are strong enough to talk about organizing another party.”